Sony has announced a new version of its A-mount 70-300mm F4.5-5.6 G SSM lens. The new Sony G 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 SSM II (SAL70300G2) promises approximately four times faster dynamic subject tracking performance, and boasts Nano Anti Reflex coating to eliminate flare and ghosts. The lens also features a dust & drip-proof construction and a close-focus point of 1.2m with a maximum reproduction ratio of 1:4. The optical formula comprises 16 elements in 11 groups, and a 9-bladed aperture diaphragm. The Sony G 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 SSM II lens will be available in February 2015, priced at 142,000 yen (£765) in Japan.

Website: Sony Japan

Canon China has posted six high-resolution sample images taken with the new Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM lens. This super-telephoto zoom lens from Canon boasts a completely redesigned optical formula containing one Fluorite and one Super UD lens element - a combination unique to lenses in this focal range - to help deliver sharp images with high resolution and contrast. For photographers who want to work as closely as possible to their subjects, the minimum focusing distance of the lens has been reduced to just 3.2 ft. (0.98m), resulting in a maximum magnification of 0.31x. The Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L II USM Super-Telephoto Zoom Lens is scheduled to be available in December 2014 for an estimated retail price of £1,999.99 / €2,499.99 / $2,199.99.

Website: Canon China

Canon has announced the Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM lens. This super-telephoto zoom lens features Canon L-series weather resistance and rugged magnesium housing to meet the needs of wildlife and sports photographers or photojournalists working out in the elements. The new Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L II USM boasts a completely redesigned optical formula containing one Fluorite and one Super UD lens element - a combination unique to lenses in this focal range - to help deliver sharp images with high resolution and contrast. For photographers who want to work as closely as possible to their subjects, the minimum focusing distance of the lens has been reduced to just 3.2 ft. (0.98m), resulting in a maximum magnification of 0.31x. The original EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM was known for its push-pull zoom adjustment, but the EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L II USM uses a much more conveniet rotation-type zoom ring. The Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L II USM Super-Telephoto Zoom Lens is scheduled to be available in December 2014 for an estimated retail price of £1,999.99 / €2,499.99 / $2,199.99.

Rokinon (Samyang) have announced a Cine version of their new 12mm Fish-eye lens. Boasting a maximum aperture of T3.1, the Rokinon 12mm T3.1 ED AS IF NCS UMC Cine DS Fish-eye features geared focus and aperture rings, a stepless diaphragm and an optical construction comprising 12 lens elements in 8 groups. As befits a cinematography lens, the focus, aperture and depth-of-field markings are engraved on the side of the lens barrel to aid focus pullers who typically operate on the side of the camera. The Rokinon/Samyang 12mm T3.1 ED AS IF NCS UMC Cine DS Fish-eye lens is now available to pre-order for $549 in Canon, Nikon, Pentax and Sony (A and E) mounts.

Ricoh has announced the launch of the HD Pentax-DA 16-85mm f/3.5-5.6ED DC WR lens for Pentax K-mount digital SLR cameras. With a 35mm equivalent focal range of 24.5-130mm, the HD Pentax-DA 16-85mm f/F3.5-5.6ED DC WR features the PENTAX-exclusive HD coating to deliver sharp, clear images even in difficult  lighting conditions, an ED (Extra-low Dispersion) optical element to effectively compensate for chromatic aberrations; and aspherical optical elements to minimise colour bleeding. The lens is equipped with the Pentax-developed Quick-Shift Focus system, which allows the user to instantly switch to manual-focus operation after the subject is captured in focus by the camera’s AF system. The optical construction comprises 16 elements in 12 groups and a rounded diaphragm to produce a smooth bokeh. The lens features a weather-resistant construction with eight special seals to effectively prevent the intrusion of water into the lens interior. Available from the end of next month, the HD Pentax-DA 16-85mm f/3.5-5.6ED DC WR will sell for RRP of £599.99.

Canon UK has just launched its winter cashback offer, which enables you to receive up to £80 cashback on a selected range of Canon products including DSLRs, lenses, compact cameras, camcorders and printers. The offer runs from 29st October 2014 to 21st January 2015 for eligible products purchased from UK or Republic of Ireland retailers. Click through / scroll down for a list of all eligible cameras, lenses, printers and accessories.

Tamron announced that it had produced a total of 5 million high-power zoom lenses for interchangeable-lens cameras as of September 30, 2014. Ever since Tamron released the AF28-200mm F/3.8-5.6 Aspherical, the company has continued to develop innovative high-power zoom lenses, supporting digital SLR cameras, incorporating VC (Vibration Compensation) mechanisms, and implementing the PZD (Piezo Drive) ultrasonic motor. At present, Tamron has a wide lineup of high-power zoom lenses supporting various camera formats. In particular, during 2014, the company has released the 16-300mm F/3.5-6.3 Di II VC PZD MACRO (Model B016) for APS-C sized digital SLR cameras with a world-first*2 18.8x zoom, the 28-300mm F/3.5-6.3 Di VC PZD (Model A010) supporting full-frame digital SLR cameras, and the 14-150mm F/3.5-5.8 Di III (Model C001) for Micro Four Thirds mirrorless interchangeable-lens cameras.

Shenyang Zhongyi Optics have released several high-resolution sample photos and a sample video captured using their new 42.5mm f/1.2 & 24mm f/1.7 lenses. Taken with a Panasonic DMC-GH4 & a Sony A7 (the latter in cropped mode), these official samples were shot at the company's Photokina booth. The company has also announced that the launch of the E and X-mount variants of the Zhongyi Mitakon 42.5mm f/1.2 has been postponed due to a "production issue" but the Micro Four Thirds version will go on sale later this month. The Mitakon 24mm f/1.7 will be available in all three mounts in late October.

The Canon Cine-Servo 50-1000mm T5.0-8.9 is a new broadcast lens offering a focal range of 50-1000mm and a built-in 1.5x extender. With the world’s longest focal length (75-1500mm with its built-in 1.5x extender) and highest (20x) magnification among Super 35mm zoom lenses, the Cine-Servo zoom lens offers cinematographers new possibilities for shooting scenes in HD, 2K and 4K on single-sensor cameras. The lens features a completely removable, updated servo drive unit that enables its use in broadcast-style shooting environments where typical cine lenses are usually impractical. The design has been developed to ensure high levels of ruggedness and reliability, combining the finest quality optics with a weatherproof and shockproof construction that makes it suitable for use in the most hostile conditions when on location. Facilitating cinema-style use, lens-barrel markings are clearly engraved in both feet and meters on both sides of the barrel, and focus indicators on the front side of the lens are marked on an inclined surface to make them easy to see from the back of the camera. Compatible with a wide range of cameras, the Canon Cine-Servo 50-1000mm T5.0-8.9 also supports communication between lens and camera and will be available in both EF-mount and PL-mount variants. The lens is expected to be available in the first quarter of 2015 for a suggested list price of $78,000.

Fuji UK have announced a new promotion: those who buy a Fujifilm X-Pro1 compact system camera now can pick up a Fujinon XF18mm f/2R and XF27mm f/2.8 R for free. For more information, visit the website below.

Website: Fujifilm United Kingdom

Canon has issued a firmware update for its EF300mm f/2.8L IS II USM, EF400mm f/2.8L IS II USM, EF500mm f/4L IS II USM and EF600mm f/4L IS II USM lenses. Version 1.1.1 changes the control algorithm of the focus drive, and enhances the drive’s responsiveness for more precise focus and adjustments. In particular, the new firmware enhances the AI servo AF capability of the lenses to track erratically moving subjects such as players at a sports event. This firmware update will be performed by Canon Service Centers. This update is for lenses with Firmware Version 1.0.0 - click through / scroll down to learn how to find out if your copy is affected.

Want to see what the new Schneider Kreuznach Xenon 30mm f/2.4 Micro Four Thirds lens looks like in the flesh?

Check out our hands-on gallery of photos of the Schneider Kreuznach Xenon 30mm f/2.4 AF lens for Micro Four Thirds.

This lens was announced back at Photokina 2012 but its development was delayed for unspecified reasons. However, the company was now able to show us a working sample, noting that availability and pricing were still to be determined.

Want to see exactly what the new Schneider Kreuznach Super Angulon 14mm f/2.0 Micro Four Thirds lens looks like in the flesh?

Check out our hands-on gallery of photos of the Schneider Kreuznach Super-Angulon 14mm f/2.0 auto focus lens for Micro Four Thirds.

This lens was announced back at Photokina 2012 but development was delayed for unspecified reasons. However, the company was now able to show us a working sample. Availability and pricing are still to be determined.

Want to see exactly what the new Voigtländer Heliar 40mm f/2.8 and Voigtländer Super Wide-Heliar 15mm f/4.5 lenses look like in the flesh?

Check out our hands-on gallery of photos of the Voigtländer Heliar 40mm f/2.8 and Voigtländer Super Wide-Heliar 15mm f/4.5 lenses.

Want to see exactly what the new Samyang 50mm f/1.4 AS UMC lens looks like in the flesh?

Check out our hands-on gallery of photos of the Samyang 50mm f/1.4 AS UMC lens.

Want to see exactly what the new Tokina SD 11-20mm f/2.8 (IF) DX and SD 24-70mm f/2.8 (IF) FX lenses looks like in the flesh?

Check out our hands-on gallery of photos of the Tokina SD 11-20mm f/2.8 (IF) DX and SD 24-70mm f/2.8 (IF) FX lenses.

Want to see exactly what the new SLR Magic HyperPrime Cine 10mm T2.1 and SLR Magic APO-HyperPrime Cine 50mm T2.1 lenses looks like in the flesh?

Check out our hands-on gallery of photos of the SLR Magic HyperPrime Cine 10mm T2.1 and SLR Magic APO-HyperPrime Cine 50mm T2.1 lenses.

Want to see exactly what the new Pentax full-frame lenses look like in the flesh?

Check out our hands-on gallery of photos of the Pentax full-frame lenses.

Simply referred to as "High magnification super-telephoto zoom lens" and the "Large diameter telephoto zoom lens", we'd assumed that these prototypes were for Pentax's well-established range of APS-C sensor digital SLR cameras. But they're actually for a future full-frame 35mm system instead, which Pentax have confirmed they're currently working on. We're not quite sure why Pentax would choose to display mockups of two telephoto lenses, rather than a camera body, but they do provide further evidence that Pentax are set to join Canon and Nikon in the full-frame DSLR market.

Want to see exactly what the new Pentax-DA 16-85mm f/3.5-5.6 ED lens looks like in the flesh?

Check out our hands-on gallery of photos of the Pentax-DA 16-85mm f/3.5-5.6 ED lens.

Want to see exactly what the new Samsung S 300mm f/2.8 ED OIS lens looks like in the flesh?

Check out our hands-on gallery of photos of the Samsung S 300mm f/2.8 ED OIS lens.

The Samsung S 300mm f/2.8 ED OIS lens is still a prototype, but it'ssheer size and bulk clearly shows that Samsung mean business. It offers a fast maximum aperture of f/2.8. opticalimage stabilisation, weather sealed magnesium alloy construction to match the NX1 camera, and rather incongruously has an i-Function button just like Samsung's more consumer-oriented lenses.